Simple Joys...Family Movie Night

There are so many things that just make me smile and last night was filled with many.  After having small groups at our house, we had our first movie night with Carson.  Our friend, Chad, had loaned us their copy of Frozen last week, and the anticipation of movie night was almost more that Carson could take.  Brandon had been gone to a golf tournament all weekend so we were having a hard time finding a time to have this special family time.  Brandon and I agreed to let little man stay up WAY past his bedtime, and it was well worth it.  Carson went and grabbed almost every blanket and pillow that he could find in the house.  He made sure that we all had a comfy spot on the couch.  We popped popcorn, which was really his first time that I know of to eat it.  After daddy got the movie ready, C was more than ready to get this party started.  He almost gobbled up a whole bag of popcorn.  He attempted to sing every song in the movie, especially "Let It Go", and we just sat back and grinned ear to ear.  He made it almost the whole movie, but I don't think we are quite ready for one at the theater!

Baby Caleb is here!

 

On March 5, 2014, we celebrated the arrival of our nephew, Caleb James.  It is exciting to be an aunt for the first time!  It has been fun to see Carson react to him and take in every little moment as he is preparing to have "his baby" in a few months. 

 

Daddy and Caleb

Daddy, Caleb, and Carson

Brandon and Caleb

RL and Caleb

 

Well Worth the Wait

This past week while picking out a present for a friend, I was faced with the parental dilema of whether or not to give in to my son wanting a gift of his own.  After a few minutes of debate, we decided that he needed to see how much money was in his piggy bank.  Well, Carson was $4.00 short of having enough money for the toy.  Brandon and I decided that if he did certain tasks around the house, then, he could earn the money.  Daddy helped him learn how to wash the dishes off, change out the trash, and do a few more things around the house.  On Friday, he had earned the $4.00 so we were off to the store.  Carson continued to want no other toy, but the one that he worked for: the Play-doh Firetruck set.  I am so glad that we waited in buying it.  He is soooooo proud of that toy and in two days has spent at least 4 hours playing like crazy with that toy.  I desire to have a hard-working grateful, son.  Hopefully, we are on the right track! 

 

 

 

BIG NEWS!!! Baby #2 is on the way!

I sometimes think that I have God figured out.  Boy, I am wrong!  We went through a very difficult time when we wanted to have our first baby.  It started off with a miscarriage, which is extremely hard to swallow on your first pregnancy.  Then, we went through a year of waiting.  Then, we went through lots of fertility testing.  When you are in the process of waiting, you have the choice to give up on God or to lean upon Him.  Even though, Brandon and I experienced many highs and lows during that time of waiting, we chose to lean on Him.  However, after going through that journey, we both had put in the back of our mind that Carson would be our only child of which we were more than grateful for!  In December, God showed us that He had a different plan!  I found out the week before Christmas that we were pregnant.  Initially, I had figured that I could wait to tell Brandon on our anniversary, but the anticipation took over.  I ended up telling him the day that I found out.  Carson and I were painting snowman.  We made a picture with four snowmen: Daddy, Mommy, Carson, and of course KK.  (Well, that is what Carson told Brandon!)  After some eye contact, I smiled and said that is not KK.  Disbelief, gratefulness, anxiety, happiness, joy, and every other emotion surrounded us for a period of time.  After 14 weeks of feeling extremely yucky, we have made it through to functioning more like a normal family.  I am currently 15 weeks, and I will go for my second doctor appointment on Monday.  We are very thankful to God to have had made it thus far!  Carson is sooooo excited to have a baby brother or a baby sister.  We love to hear him talk about Baby and give Baby kisses.  Hopefully, this extreme love for his sibling will do nothing but continue to grow.  Thank you to our families who have helped in numerous ways to get us through this first trimester.  The tears of joy, laughing, disbelief in our family's eyes were a priceless Christmas gift to give them as Carson trotted in wearing his "Best Brother" t-shirt.  Many more memories are on their way...

15 weeks

Snow Day AGAIN!

Our winter weather this year has been somewhat crazy for someone that lives in Texas.  A few weeks ago, we experienced our SECOND snow of the season.  Today, of course it is in the 60's, which is much more normal, but that is about to change.  I love experiencing life through the eyes of a child.  Well, on the snow day, Daddy was gone so it was up to Mommy to build the snowman.  I have to say that this is probably the saddest snowman you will ever see, but the snow was like cotton and would not pack together.  Despite the difficulties, Carson has the time of his life. 

 

 

A fun night with Uncle Colton and Aunt Marta

This past Friday night, Carson and I (Brandon), got to spend an evening with our Uncle Colton and Aunt Marta.  We took them to Costa Vida (Carson's choice) and to see the Grapevine Mustangs play the Colleyville Heritage Panthers in basketball.  It was a fun night to go back to my old school again to see the Mustangs play, but this time we sat on the opposite side and rooted for the Panthers (or the Coach Hamrick's as Carson calls them).  One of our good friends is now the coach at Heritage so we have now become Panther fans and try to go see games as often as we can.  Carson had a blast taking advantage of the weak will of my brother and sister-in-law and did his best to empty their pocketbooks at the concession stand as he had some sour straws, gatorade, and M&M's before I cut him off since it was after 9:00!  It was a lot of fun to get to spend time with my brother and sister-in-law and it is always fun to see Carson's face when he gets to see his aunts and uncles.  We are a very blessed family to have such wonderful people in our little boy's life, and I am thankful to get to share experiences with Carson and Colton (or "the boys") as Carson likes to call us!  We can't wait to go catch another game soon!  Hopefully "the Coach Hamrick's" can make the playoffs and Carson can go see his first playoff game!

Christmas with the Thurmon's

Carson helping Granna make an apple pie!  Yum!

Carson wearing my apron from when I was a little girl



Somebody's peeking under that tree

Carson and Grandy

Carson opening his new Thomas backpack.  Now he has one that rolls like his friend!

Sweet Nannie

Carson helping Granna open the gifts he picked out

Oh, KK

Grandy opening a portrait of him and Carson.  Painted by Elaine Pevey!

KK opening the big gift but who is it for???  GRANDY!  I wonder what it might be!

The cousins taking on the tissue challenge.  I think the undefeated champion, Bobby, suffered his first lost.

Priceless!  Way to go, Tammy!

Great job, Morgan!  Who knew that Logan would be the next to stack the cups?   Good job, Logan!

 

Christmas Morning at Our House

 

Christmas morning was spent at out house.  Despite my high hopes of making cinnamon rolls as we have done previously, it was still a wonderful morning.  Santa graciously brought Carson his very own drum set.  Little did I know how much Carson and Daddy would love them!  I was hoping that Santa was going to bring Mommy earplugs but that didn't happen!

 

 

Christmas Eve at the Thomas'

This year, we spent Christmas Eve with Pop, Mimi, Uncle Colton, Aunt Marta, Danny, Donna, Brandon, Lacey, Kylie, and Grandmother.  After enjoying yummy foods together, the kids couldn't wait to start opening their first round of presents.  It only took a second for them to remember how to do it.  Here are some sweet smiles from the evening!

 

Uncle Danny

Carson opening his first TCU jacket from Uncle Colton and Aunt Marta

Lacey, Kylie, Brandon, Colton, Grandmother, Carson, and Mimi

Grandmother and Carson looking at a new magnet book

Carson and Kylie playing in Carson's room

Kylie modeling her new princess attire

Mimi showing Carson the John Deere blanket that she made